Things to do in Bogota, Colombia

You’ve finally booked your flights, now you’re wondering about things to do in Bogota, Colombia. Bogota is a huge city with tons of activities to offer tourists, so you might not know where to start or just want to fit the best activities into a tight travel schedule. Start with these incredibly fun things to do in Bogota, Colombia and you’ll be sure to have an amazing trip:

Take Salsa Lessons

Nothing is going to make you remember your trip to Colombia quite like visiting a salsa club in Bogota. This is one of the best things to do in Bogota. The music, the dancing, and of course the drinks, might just make you quit your day job and stay in Colombia for the long haul. It’s truly a unique cultural experience, but it can be intimidating to bust a move on the dance floor if you don’t know the first thing about salsa.

That’s why taking salsa lessons in Bogota is such a good idea. Salsa Classes Medellin offers private salsa classes in both Medellin and Bogota. And the great part about it is the teachers can come to you or you can learn the steps in a dance studio. So strap on your dancing shoes and take salsa lessons so you can move like the locals when you visit a salsa club.

Wander Around La Candelaria

La Candelaria is the name of Bogota’s historic district. Colorful Spanish-colonial houses line the narrow streets and make you think you’ve gone back in time. The area, located in the center of the city, is also home to the main square called Plaza Bolivar.

There is also the Gold Museum (entrance tickets are about 1 USD) and the Botero Museum, which features the work of famous Colombian artist Fernando Botero and the work of his artist pals. And if you are traveling on a budget, don’t worry because the Botero Museum has free entrance. Keep in mind the Gold Museum is closed Mondays and the Botero Museum is closed Tuesdays. While La Candelaria is fine in the day time, it can get a little sketchy at night. So don’t add this to your list of things to do in Bogota at night.

Hike Through Parque Chicaque

Out of all the fun things to do in Bogota, visiting Parque Chicaque is probably the most strenuous (although salsa lessons will get your heart pumping, too). This natural park isn’t actually located in Bogota, but about 40 minutes south of the city in a small town called Soacha. Parque Chicaque is a lovely cloud forest with more than 20 kilometers, or 12.5 miles, of hiking trails. Bird watching, horseback riding and zip-lining are other activities the park offers.

The Refuge is the name of the quaint lodge located in the middle of the park where you can sign up for activities, eat lunch and even sleep overnight. It’s recommended that you don’t visit Parque Chicaque on your first day in Bogota because your body needs to get acclimated to the high altitude. Bogota sits about 2,640 meters, or 8,660 feet, above sea level, so it’s best to give yourself a few days before you hit the trails.

Stuff Your Face

Cooking food in hostel kitchens or ordering hotel room service is okay for some countries, but in Colombia, you need to get out there and try some food! Colombian cuisine isn’t world famous, but the country certainly offers some delicious dishes.

Don’t leave Colombian without trying Bandeja Paisa. It’s a huge platter with fried pork rinds, ground beef, 2 types of sausages, rice, beans, an avocado slice, a fried plantain slice, an arepa (like a corn biscuit) and topped off with a fried egg. Order one to share or some restaurants let you order a half portion.

Ajiaco is a popular soup in Bogota made with three types of potatoes, chicken, corn-on-the-cob and gusca leaves. Some people even throw in sour cream and capers to punch up the flavor. Other must-try Colombian foods are arepas, empanadas and the exotic fresh fruit that you might not have ever seen before.

This list is just a start for all the unique things to do in Bogota, Colombia. Plan to spend at least three days in Colombia’s capital to be able to do the coolest activities, but a longer stay is ideal, as there’s always something interesting around every corner.